The youth spent one week at the North Kipling Community Centre working as a team to construct the 15-foot canoe and paint their own paddles. They were trained in the proper use of hand and power woodworking tools and learned skills such as reading plans, measuring, laying out cutting lines on wood and sanding. Paddle art provided an opportunity for the youth to expand their knowledge and experience in creative expression.

The canoe building and paddle art project is a partnership between Toronto Culture and Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation and is one of many innovative and diverse programs to build the skills and capacity of youth in Toronto’s priority neighbourhoods.

Toronto is Canada’s largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.6 million people. It is the economic engine of Canada and one of the greenest and most creative cities in North America. In the past three years Toronto has won more than 50 awards for quality and innovation in delivering public services. Toronto’s government is dedicated to prosperity, opportunity and liveability for all its residents.